Wild Animal Caught On Surveillance Camera In Alamo

ALAMO, CA — An Alamo resident spotted an intruder on their surveillance camera system, a fox or small coyote scurrying their the yard.

The person who posted the video called the animal a coyote or fox. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), it's tough to tell several species apart including the coyote, San Joaquin Kit Fox, Red Fox and Gray Fox.

Because these animals are now common in suburban and even urban environments, it's wise to take several steps to protect the animals and to make your yard less welcoming.

DFW offers these tips:

• Never feed wildlife; keep pet food indoors.
• Remove sources of water.
• Seal trash containers to prevent access.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other prey.
• Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Don't trap stray cats in areas used by kit foxes. Trapped foxes could get injured and their pups are vulnerable when unattended.
• Never fill or destroy a burrow that may be used by kit foxes. State and federal laws protect their burrows. (Kit foxes are on the federal endangered species list)
• Take down sports nets at schools, parks and other recreational facilities when not in use because animals may be entrapped. Store furled and out of reach, especially at night.
• Avoid the use of rodent poisons in kit fox habitat.

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